Large Scale Central

Help! Amtrak F40PH lights

Modeling Motive Power
#1

So I messed up David’s Amtrak post fairly well and this maybe too far off track?

The F40PH has several lights. I don’t know what they all do or are? There are white flashing beacons on top that I read flash together.

So then there’s two lights right below those on the top face of the cab number board panel. Are those used as marker lights?

There’s a large light right in the center of that top front NB panel that appears to be red. Is that a Beacon? or strobe? or marker? when does that light?

http://www.railpictures.net/images/d2/5/9/9/5599.1410060386.jpg

#2

There’s a large light right in the center of that top front NB panel that appears to be red.

Joe, these locos were used in push/pull service in some areas, the red light is required the tail end of the last unit of a train. Same with the two marker lights I would think

#3

The flashing beacons on top do strobe together and are used when pulling in and leaving the station. The 2 redlights on the outside of the # boards are lit when running in reverse(such as suggested in push pull service). The red light in the center I believe is the same (for reverse) but I don’t know if it strobes or if it’s like a MARS or something. Perhaps Matt can help with this.

Here are some other links you might need and may answer a lot of questions you might have…

try not to

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/manual/f40-om1.pdf

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/manual/f40-om-s2.pdf

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/manual/f40-om-s3.pdf

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/manual/f40-sm.html

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/manual/f40-mi.html

#4

#5

I also got help on another forum from guys who ran this engine. I guess that center light is used in emergency apps but even some of those guys weren’t sure. They didn’t use it.

#6

How in the… world am I gonna get train guys to do that Boss?

I’m gunna have to look at animation I guess…?

That’s hilarious!

#7

The Xenon Strobes (lights on top) did flash in unison…although they sometimes would get off sink. They were lit every time I saw an F40 way back when they actually still had the strobe lights. These were removed around the same time ditch lights were added.

Here is a great video showing the flashing strobes:

Here’s a flasher unit specifically modeled to mimic the Amtrak F40 flashing strobes:

https://www.walthers.com/fla-amtrak-style-strobe-flasher

And the same flasher on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Circuitron-FLA-Amtrak-Style-Strobe-Flasher-800-1100-/391587966375?

The other clear lights on either end of the number boards you mentioned are the class lights. Lit if an extra…so highly unlikely to ever be used. I’m not super familiar with F40 use in push pull service, but I doubt they would use class lights for an end of train light. I figured they would used the headlight in the dim position. I’ll have to check some of my old photos of the San Diegan as this train was push pull with F40s.

The center red light would flash if the emergency brakes were applied. Rarely if ever used.

Don’t forget to light the number boards, if possible.

#8

Thanks Matt!

Once again, over the top with help.

I thought those “extras” lights looked red. I didn’t see they were clear.

I have some extra LEDs from an MTH install that maybe a green set from a steamer. Maybe no one will notice?

I wonder if they were Red on the cabbage units for use as a end unit? (when run backwards)

Hmmm, I already added the ditch lights. Maybe I should skip the flashing beacons?

#9

Ya’ see Joe!

Here is a yearbook pic of Matt and myself while attending Amtrak grad school!

#10

Found some more info about the class lights and other lights (form the old Atlas Forum):

Marker lights were installed on some rebuilds in the late 1990’s in place of the class lights next to the number boards. At other times the train was run with the headlight on dim if markers were not installed.

Those lights to the sides of the number boards were class lights, I believe they were still required when the F-40 was first delivered in 1976. The Center Red Light was an emergency strobe which was activated when the train was placed in emergency. In the late 1990’s the Xenon Strobes were removed as they were no longer required due to the installation of Ditch lights.

So it really depends on what year you want your F40 to be. If it is pre-ditch lights, they you need the roof Xenon Strobes. The lights to the side of the number boards would be class lights and not yet changed out to red marker lights.

However if you are in the ditch light era…1990s and up…then the roof strobes would be removed and the class lights might be changed to red markers.

Oh you mentioned you already added the ditch lights, so no strobes and maybe red markers if you want.

#11

Thank you again! I really appreciate the help. Otherwise I’d just have to go on a guess.

#12

" Rooster " said:

It would be hilarious if I could mount a mini screen in the windshield and have those guys nodding!
Other than that I may need some type of remote bobble head figures?

#13

Many F40’s retained the twin clear xenon strobes well into the retirement years. Seen them going into beechgrove shops with them still on the unit. The early unit used a low profile clear lense strobe from Whelen, both light heads flashed together whenever the horn was triggered or the engineer tripped them to flash. Around the time the ditch lights were installed, the larger strobe beacons, like in the picture above were installed. These are mady by Star headlight and lantern. Watch the old movie “disaster on the coastliner” for good shots of the early smaller strobe heads. The center red light was also a xenon strobe, mostly for emergency brake application warning. But according to a retired engineer there was a “test” switch to check operation and he would sometimes turn the light on when in heavy fog and multipule grade crossings. Same for the roof top strobes, they could be turned on all the time(rarely) but depends on the engineer. Circuitron makes a nice circuit to simulate the twin white xenon strobes, runs off a 9vt battery. Mike

#14

Joe

I just put all the lights on mine because it just adds more junk(detail) and the more junk the better!

#15

Yes sir but yours is fantastic. I have saved pictures of it and the real ones too. I have to stare closely to figure out which ones real. Only the grass around it gives it away.

So… you need scale grass!

#16

Joe

It’s a slippery slope my friend …VERY slippery !

Amtrak is is government owned. However there is no government owned resource clinic available for those that are hooked on/addicted to the best of my knowledge!

#17

Hate to say it " Rooster " Nice job!

#18

I finally started on the lights for this engine. It must be winter!

click on the picture to make it larger!

https://youtu.be/VA9HLaxRNVM